This is a story about profiles in courage in 1) recognizing that truth is fundamentally sacred and 2) resisting the most powerful social pressures that it is humanly possible to level against an individual. Katz and his fellow truth-tellers have earned my deepest gratitude.

I think you’re underestimating the importance of the article. The NYT in the past (e.g., see Jodi Rudoren’s work) has not even come close to calling out the lobby. The article’s link to J Street can be seen–at least in part- as an effort to avoid charges of anti-Semitism. Finally, I don’t understand why you feel Palestinians should have been quoted on this particular subject.

This (long overdue) investigative piece about the lobby can be seen as part of a concerted attempt by the Times to support the agreement. It seems to me that the Times may have concluded that Mr. Netanyahu must be jettisoned b/c he threatens middle eastern peace.

There are plenty of Republican voters who are also in favor of this deal with Iran. They are an important part of our electorate and we need to recognize their forthcoming contributions to the agreement’s passage. Boehner and co. are risking the support of these voters by opposing it as well as being charged with war-mongering. Netanyahu is making an abject fool of himself by insulting our leader and calling his and his state dept.’s judgment into question. N’s moves here can only accelerate the questioning of unqualified US support of Israel in the minds of many previously unqualified supporters.

Ten bucks says there will eventually be an unprovoked attack on Iran by either the U.S. and or Israel. History has shown repeatedly that the U.S. rarely if ever opts for peace when war (no matter how irrational or destructive) is an option.

Disagree, Joe. I think the more likely outcome is that neither the US nor Israel will attack Iran, so long as Iran allies itself with the US against Muslim jihadists. We (the US) badly need the assistance of Iranian boots on the ground.

“This is one of the most honest, fair-minded, and thorough articles I’ve ever read on this topic.”

Totally agree! This post of Phil’s is going to be required reading in a lot of different places very soon and it is going to stimulate a great deal of discussion, especially in the Jewish community. (Wish it could also be published in the NYTimes or WaPost.)